If you’re a chronic overeater, maybe it’s time to buy new dishware. Now I know you’re not going to eat your plate – I wasn’t worried about that – but not only have our waistlines grown in the last 20 years, so have our plate sizes. Dinner plates used to be an average of 10 inches across, but now they’re 12 inches or more. Although two inches may seem like a small amount, remember that your perception of how much food you have is relative to the size of the dish it’s served in.

In other words, if you served yourself pasta on a 12-inch plate, you’d end up eating a lot more than if you’d started with a 10-inch plate, because your perception of volume is distorted. What looks like a hearty amount of pasta on a small plate will look like a measly amount on a larger plate. Those extra two inches in diameter equal more room for you to pile the food on without even realizing that you’re eating more.

If you’re in the market for a new set of dishes, bring your tape measure and choose a smaller-size plate. And definitely avoid platter-sized dishware. If you’re not ready to ditch your dishes, serve yourself meals on a salad or bread plate or in a small bowl, especially when you’re eating treats like ice cream. Downsize your plate and you’ll definitely downsize your waist.